Parker Sinclair - Eve of the Exceptionals

OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

The Alex Conner Chronicles

(Contemporary/Urban Fantasy)

Trust: The Alex Conner Chronicles Book One

Truth: The Alex Conner Chronicles Book Two

Forbidden: An Alex Conner Chronicles Novella

Only: The Alex Conner Chronicles Book Three

The Dark Angel Series

(Dark Fantasy)

A Darker Fall: A Dark Angel Novella

(Featured in The Aching Darkness Anthology)

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Eve of the Exceptionals

Copyright 2016 by Parker Sinclair

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Rawlings Books, LLC

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www.parkersinclair.net/rawlingsbooks.html

Cover Art by Kerrie Joyce

Edited by Meredith Tennant

&

Stephanie Wallace

Book Design by Jessica Ozment

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Paperback Edition ISBN: 978-0-9984053-0-8

Mobi Edition ISBN: 978-0-9984053-1-5

For Lyla, Ella, & CJ, whose faith, pride, and belief in me inspires and drives me every day.

For all those lucky enough to believeyes, Magic is real.

Acknowledgements

To all of the early readers and fans. Its no surprise that I love to write, but your enthusiasm for my stories and your kind words of encouragement give me the lift I need to not back down from my dreams.

To Kerrie Joyce. I couldnt be happier that weve begun working together. We have such a bright future ahead of us.

To my editor Meredith. This dreams been made possible with your assistance and professionalism.

To Kelly. Thank you for coming on this journey with me and for making sure I knew the story created an amazing movie in your head.

To Jessica. Your unending creative talents add stunning touches to this book.

For Wolf and Sensei. Thank you for inspiring some truly unforgettable characters.

To Ryzyn. You are our bravest prince. Thank you for helping me bring the prince of Parlethis to life.

To Club X. You are there for me each and every time I dive into a project. Thank you for the friendship, much-needed laughs, and for having my back in spectacular meme and Bitmjoi style.

To my family. Weve come together more than ever this past year. I love you all, love the places weve been, and will continue to go.

And to my husband. Thank you for the amazing team we create and for helping me take this leap toward what Im truly passionate about.

CHAPTER 1

Shadows

G em!

Did you find it, Finn?

Finns glowing owl eyes send round balls of light bouncing off the walls at the far end of the room, and into the ceiling rafters. His powerful gaze brightens the throne chamber just enough for Gem to set up her aim. Thick wooden beams traverse the cavernous throne room. She eyes them, calculating. They are wide enough for a small girl like her to delicately crawl upon. Although she hopes to have her arrows do most of the work, shell brave the heights if need be.

Even though they creep around quietly, Gem takes comfort in knowing they are alone. This isnt the library, armory, treasure vault, or a private quarter. No, this is a wide-open space where no one would suspect of holding such a treasure. Yet the hide-in-plain-sight tactic is no match for Gem and her fathers wits. They discovered the location of the rarest of treasures, and tonight, Gem will take it.

Finns strong, dark wings carry him swiftly and silently around the hall, while his eyes light the way for Gems keen sight. Of course, it is more than her sight that tells her Finn has located the priceless object. Instinctively, her fingers move to her throat where the necklace she has worn all her life rests. To everyone else, the teardrop-shaped stone appears lifeless and cold, but against her skin and to her wide eyes, it is a brilliant turquoise blue. Blue like the stone of her desert homeland, like the turquoise flecks in her golden eyes. It has never led her astray before, and it doesnt tonight.

Gem aims her bow into the darkness; the only light is shining from Finns bright obs. Be swift... Be true, she whispers to her first arrow, willing it to find its mark as her necklace flames to life. When the arrow takes flight, red string trails behind it, the thread coiling and flying wildly after the projectile, resembling the cursive writing Gems mother makes her practice.

A thud signals that she has hit her mark, and the satisfied smile curling her lips is a trademark for her brand of mischief. The grin doesnt last though as a bright stream of light pours from the target out over the massive hall. The harsh glow instantly exposes Gem and Finn, freezing them in place for a second. Finn drops to the ground, taking on his white polecat form, and scampering to Gem, crawling up her long legs to burrow in the back of her leather vest. His small, shaking body vibrates against her, signaling to her that she has to work quickly.

Gem, we have to get out of here! Forget the prize and lets save our hides! Finns words are an echo within her mind.

Gem! He urges again. His voice is understandably full of worry, but they are so close to success, and she has something to prove to her family. She satchels her bow to the straps that crisscross her back alongside her full quiver. Reaching into her boot with one hand, she withdraws a small blade while she uses her other hand to calm Finn with a tender ear rub. Once he stops trembling, she grabs the red string and takes off toward the source of the light. When underneath it, she yanks and pulls until a box gives way and begins hurtling toward the ground. As it falls, an object wrapped in a dark velvety dressing is thrown free. Finn leaps from his hiding spot, transforming into his customary cheetah in a spectacular mid-air fashion before snatching the object with his jaws.